Mixed-mode interaction

Abstract

A user of a wireless device, such as a mobile phone, can make purchases or obtain information via a network, such as the Internet, using both voice and non-verbal methods. Users can submit voice queries and receive non-verbal replies, submit non-verbal queries and receive voice replies, or perform similar operations that marry the voice and data capabilities of modern mobile communication devices. The user may provide notification criteria indicating under what conditions a notification should be sent to the user's wireless device. When purchasing opportunities matching the selected notification criteria become available, the user is notified. The user can respond to the notification, and immediately take advantage of the purchasing opportunity if he so desires. Mixed-mode interactions can also be used by sellers to more advantageously control the marketing of distressed, time sensitive, or other merchandise/services.

1. A method, comprising:
 at a first time, receiving and storing an input in a user profile in a database, the input comprising consumer interest data; 
 at a second time distinct from the first time, obtaining data identifying a current location of the mobile communication device; 
 based on the input stored in the user profile and the current location of the mobile communication device, initiating a search to locate information pertinent to the input; 
 receiving results derived from the search; and 
 in response to the input and the search, delivering, by a notification server, information to the mobile communications device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the information delivered to the mobile communications device is information associated with a purchasing opportunity associated with the current location of the mobile communications device along a particular route. 
     
     
       3. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the information delivered to the mobile communications device facilitates a purchase of a good or service. 
     
     
       4. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the input is one of: a non-verbal input, and a verbal input. 
     
     
       5. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the search is a search of data available over the public Internet. 
     
     
       6. The method as described in  claim 5  wherein the data available over the public Internet is retrieved from a web site. 
     
     
       7. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the consumer interest data is received from the mobile communications device. 
     
     
       8. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the search is initiated to locate information pertinent to the input without requiring an additional input. 
     
     
       9. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the information is delivered to the mobile communications device by one of: e-mail, SMS and URL. 
     
     
       10. The method as described in  claim 9  further including receiving an indication that the information delivered to the mobile communications device has been acted upon. 
     
     
       11. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the consumer interest data includes a request to receive a notification. 
     
     
       12. The method as described in  claim 11  wherein the notification is one of: an offer, a discount, an alert, and a purchase opportunity. 
     
     
       13. The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the information delivered by the notification server is one of: an offer, a discount, an alert, and a purchase opportunity. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus, comprising:
 a network-accessible server; and 
 a service executed in association with the network-accessible server to perform a method, the method comprising:
 at a first time, receiving and storing an input in a user profile, the input comprising consumer interest data; 
 at a second time distinct from the first time, obtaining data identifying a current location of the mobile communication device; 
 based on the input stored in the user profile and the current location of the mobile communication device, initiating a search to locate information pertinent to the input; 
 receiving results derived from the search; and 
 in response to the input and the search, delivering information to the mobile communications device.